Swiss stocks - Factors to watch on March 31

Reuters Staff

2 Min Read

ZURICH, March 31 (Reuters) - The following are some of the main factors expected to affect Swiss stocks on Friday:

ACTELION

Johnson & Johnson declared its $30 billion tender offer for Swiss biotechnology company Actelion successful on Friday, reporting it controlled 77.2 percent of the voting rights after the main offer period. The price of the offer, which J&J announced on Jan. 26, was $280 per share for Actelion. It said it expected the transaction to close in the second quarter.

An Australian court has approved an arrangement under which Zurich Insurance will acquire all shares in travel insurer Cover-More. Cover-More expects to lodge the approval with Australia’s Securities and Investment Commission April 3.

* Helvetia has placed a 500 million euros ($536.25 million) subordinated hybrid-bond on the EUR capital market. The bond bears a fixed coupon of 3.375 percent until its first optional call date in September 2027.

* Credit Suisse said it plans to suspend further issuance of its exchange-traded notes. The plan does not affect investors’ ability to offer the bank ETNs for repurchase, Credit Suisse said.

* VAT Group expects to grow sales at least 20 percent in 2017 in constant currency after net income jumped to 67 million francs in 2016. The group nominated Martin Komischke to succeed Horst Heidsieck as chairman of the board.

* Sika appointed six managers to new positions within the firm, which its CEO said would help the group achieve its growth strategy and 2020 targets.